EVPassport adds hotel veteran to advisory board

EVPassport, the electric vehicle charging hardware and software platform, has added Andrea Foster to its advisory board.

Foster is currently SVP of development for Marcus Hotels & Resorts, where she is responsible for marketing the company’s hotel management and ownership expertise and identifying and securing co-GP acquisition and third-party management opportunities. Previously, Foster was a managing director for CBRE Hotels, and held business development, marketing, and operational leadership roles for Miraval Resorts and both branded and independent full-service hotels. 

Foster said she believes that EV charging stations will play an important role in both hotel guest and investor preference and satisfaction moving forward. “Hospitality is about creating a home-away-from-home experience where guests’ needs are comfortably and conveniently satisfied,” Foster said in a statement. “As the auto industry continues to switch from gas-powered to electric vehicles, the needs of our hotel guests in drive-to and rental car-heavy markets will include EV charging. But the hospitality industry’s savvy guests will seek more than just a ‘charge-up’ transaction; they will want a frictionless experience that is fast, reliable, and equipped to interface with whichever technology they are carrying in their pocket. Going forward, both the availability and quality of EV charging will be a notable differentiator for hotels – and they need to be prepared with the right technology.

“[Environmental, Social, and Governance] considerations are fast-emerging as key initiatives for companies across the globe, and are driving guest and investor preference. Specific to the hotel industry, meeting planners and individual business travelers in some large companies are being evaluated in part based on the carbon footprint of their meetings, events and travel. Going forward, hotels where high-tech sustainability is woven into their service and amenity offerings will enjoy a competitive advantage.”